Heart Rate–Based Training Intensity and Its Impact on Injury Incidence Among Elite-Level Professional Soccer Players

Abstract

an increase in training volume at high intensity levels were related to injury incidence, or 6 increased the odds of injury. Training intensity was assessed through time spent in two high-7 and very high-intensity zones of 85-<90% and ≥90% of maximal heart rate (T-HI and T-VHI, 8 respectively), and all injuries were recorded over two consecutive seasons. Twenty-three elite 9 professional male soccer players (meanSD age 25.64.6 years, stature 181.86.8 cm, and 10 body mass of 79.38.1 kg) were studied throughout the 2-yrs span of the investigation. The 11 results showed a mean of total injury incidence of 18.8 (95% CI 14.7 to 22.9) injuries per 1000 12 h of exposure. Significant correlations were found between training volume at high intensities

Injury prevention strategies, coach compliance and player adherence of 33 of the UEFA Elite Club Injury Study teams: a survey of teams’ head medical officers

“…Other specific measurement types identified by teams included rating of perceived exertion (RPE) heart rate (HR) and GPS. Although not currently shown in elite football players, workloads from training and matches as measured using RPE17–21 were associated with injury in other elite team sports, while early, albeit limited, studies in elite footballers have shown a link between injury and workload as measured using HR22 and GPS 23. Until research further validates (or refutes) these workload variables in professional football, the current limited and, in some cases, extrapolated evidence may provide an insight into how elite football teams might be able to interpret their workload data as calculated from RPE, HR and GPS; specifically, these aforementioned studies have shown that high cumulated loads and acute spikes/increases in load for players may provide pertinent information.…”

How much is too much? (Part 1) International Olympic Committee consensus statement on load in sport and risk of injury

“…High absolute training and/or competition load was identified as a risk factor for injury in athletics/running,86–107 baseball,42 108–110 cricket,111–116 football (soccer),117 118 orienteering,119 rugby league,120–125 rugby union,126 127 swimming,106 128 triathlon,129–134 volleyball135 and water polo 136. On the other hand, high absolute load was reported as not increasing injury risk in different studies that included athletics/running, Australian football, rugby league, rugby union and triathlon 137–151.…”

Match-related risk factors for injury in male professional football

“…Although there has been some inconsistency between the results of different studies on load and injuries in the different football codes, most studies seem to indicate that high loads are associated with an increased injury rate (table 5). In football, players who participate in more high intensity training, defined as time spent with a heart rate of 85-90% of their maximal heart rate, have been found to be more likely to sustain an injury [94].…”